Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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Nevertheless, the simple knee exercise has its uses, but the counter-pressure must be carefully measured and not too vigorous, especially soon after delivery. There follow below a number of Further Puerperal Gymnastic Exercises which I consider specially appropriate. These may form a complete system or sequence, together with the passive exercises recommended for the first days after delivery, and particularly if they are gradually modified from almost passive, in an ascending scale of activity. But it must again be emphasised that the strict division between the pregnancy and puerperal groups is somewhat artificial, and that they may be interchangeable, which has the advantage of meeting individual needs and providing an element of variety which stimulates interest in the exercises. (18) Trunk Lifting and Lowering, Holding Towel {Fig. 34). The patient lies on her back. The instructress holds a towel of strong material by both ends in both hands. The patient grasps the towel in the middle with both hands, and tries to pull herself up slowly, and with neck muscles relaxed and head hanging loosely. The instructress helps her by pulling the towel, more or less vigorously. The patient should breathe in as she pulls herself up ; when she has reached the seated posture, she should breathe out, slowly, and with a sibilant sound, sinking back again as she does so. She must be so placed that she can also press her feet slightly against the body of the instructress or the end of the bed to brace herself. Note that this movement should depend mainly on the abdominal muscles of the patient herself. She should be given necessary support by the muscular power of the instructress, but her own arm muscles should not be exerted more than can be helped. (19) Lifting and Lowering One Leg at a Time (not illustrated). Recumbent posture as before. The instructress lays one